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Donald Trump endorsed Mike Johnson for House speaker, giving embattled lawmakers a crucial endorsement amid Republican infighting ahead of a vote on Friday.
The president-elect on Monday said Johnson had his “full and complete endorsement,” calling him a “good, hard-working, religious man” who would “do the right thing” in a post on his platform. of social media Truth Social.
Trump’s endorsement comes at a key time for Johnson, with Republicans set to vote on who will lead the lower house of Congress on Jan. 3.
Johnson’s fate had been in flux after several lawmakers voiced their opposition, including Thomas Massie of Kentucky. Andy Harris of Maryland, who heads the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus, and Scott Perry of Pennsylvania have also wavered in their support.
The slim Republican majority of 220 seats, compared to the 215 held by Democrats, will shrink to 219 once the new Congress convenes, due to the resignation of Matt Gaetz. The Florida lawmaker said he will vacate his House seat after being tapped by Trump to serve as his attorney general, but later withdrew from consideration for the post.
The slim Republican majority means Johnson can only afford to lose one vote if he wants to keep his leadership post.
It’s not the first time Republicans have been divided in recent weeks, with a showdown over a deal to avoid a government shutdown underscoring the tough balancing act Johnson will have to navigate if re-elected. The fight also cast doubt on whether Johnson had enough support to reassert his House leadership.
Johnson’s first attempt at a bipartisan bill to keep the government funded was shot down by Trump and his allies, who criticized him for taking billions of dollars in additional spending and other unrelated measures. He then failed to push through a plan backed by the president-elect that would have raised the debt ceiling while also keeping the government funded, after 38 Republicans joined Democrats in voting against it. A deal was eventually reached just ahead of schedule, but without the debt ceiling provision that Trump had originally sought.
Trump on Monday implored Republicans to “not blow this great opportunity that’s been given to us,” citing the sweeping election victory that not only returned Trump to a second term in the White House but also gave Republicans control of both houses of Congress. .
Speaking to ABC News on Sunday, Representative Mike Lawler of New York said that Mike Johnson’s departure would be “stupid.”
“The fact is these people are playing with fire,” he said. “And if they think they’re somehow going to have a more conservative mayor, they’re kidding themselves.”
Johnson said in a post on X that he was “honored and humbled” by Trump’s support. “Together, we will quickly realize your America First agenda and usher in America’s new golden age.”
